Padres Prospect Update: High-A pitcher earns award, 2025 mock draft insight

With the 25th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres select...

As in every mock draft, the player that each team decides to draft will be different - which makes the anticipation that much more fun. But for a while, the Padres were seemingly locking in on high school left-hander Kruz Schoolcraft, who is not the person the Friars will select in MLB.com's latest mock draft. In this new roundup of potential picks, the Padres could take a North Carolina high-schooler named Josh Hammond if Schoolcraft is taken earlier than the 25th pick.

Coming out of Wesleyan Christian, Hammond is an infielder committed to Wake Forest. Standing at 6-foot-1 210 pounds, Hammond has raw power with potential of being a two-way player. He can reach up to 96 MPH on his fastball, but his bat speed and overall power may keep him as a hitter, whether that means he plays shortstop or third base.

Padres' Eric Yost earns High-A weekly award

In the Midwest League with High-A Fort Wayne, right-handed pitcher Eric Yost was named Pitcher of the Week. Yost, 22, tossed seven scoreless innings on June 21 at Dayton. He struck out nine batters and surrendered just one hit and one walk.

Drafted in the 17th round in 2023 out of Northeastern, Yost sports a 2.43 ERA this season across 12 starts. He owns a 4-5 record with 67 strikeouts in 63 frames, and has twirled three quality starts.

Yost was promoted to High-A last season and made six appearances in 2024. He's taken a huge step forward in 2025, donning a 67/20 K/BB ratio. He ranks third in the Midwest League in strikeouts and in ERA this year, all while tossing the fifth-most innings.

Padres minor league schedule: June 24-29

Triple-A El Paso (38-37): Six-game home series vs. Sugar Land (Rangers)

Double-A San Antonio (39-30): Six-game road series at Midland (Athletics)

High-A Fort Wayne (33-35): Six-game home series vs. Great Lakes (Dodgers)

Single-A Lake Elsinore (30-39): Six-game home series vs. Modesto (Mariners)